Reseller Brings Value To POS Hardware, Software Installation

When rapidly growing retailer Cartridge World engaged POS VAR (value-added reseller) Duncan & Associates to consult on the selection of its new POS system, ease of training was near the top of the retailer’s list of criteria. Ralph Duncan, principal at Duncan & Associates, knew that a touch screen terminal would lend to that goal. He recommended, and Cartridge World selected, the NCR RealPOS 70, the transaction hardware provider’s flagship touch screen terminal. Cartridge World chose RetailPro as the software engine to drive its POS, and POS VAR Big Hairy Dog Information Systems installed and configured that system. The combination has proven sound, as the retailer has grown aggressively.

“We train our franchisees in an intensive two-week session at our corporate headquarters’ training facility,” says Shawn Lynam, VP of franchise operations at Cartridge World. “We have a 20-station POS lab there, but the POS training is one of the easiest aspects of the class. The graphic, interactive nature of the NCR/RetailPro system interface is intuitive and self-explanatory, which greatly reduces our training overhead.” This is important for Lynam, who says that many of the franchisees his company trains are making their foray into the retail industry with Cartridge World and have never worked with a POS system before. Following the two-week course, franchisees get a brief refresher course for store-level management and staff, on location, just prior to a store’s opening.

The RealPOS 70 is available in both capacitive and resistive touch screen models and in multiple display sizes. Dual displays serve both cashier and customer. Additionally, multimedia capabilities enable the system to serve a POS terminal, kiosk, or interactive training device. NCR has also made emerging technologies like biometrics and wireless available on this unit.


Fast Growth Necessitates Rapid IT Scalability
Deployment of technology for new franchises is handled by Duncan & Associates and Big Hairy Dog Information Systems (BHD). The systems are virtually plug and play – the integrators can have a new location up and running in a day.

The scalability of this standard platform provides Cartridge World corporate some important benefits. For one, it has a better, more consistent view of KPIs (key performance indicators) by store and region. This knowledge not only helps the retailer’s sales and inventory forecasting, it empowers Lynam, who oversees franchise operations, with market data to monitor store performance analytics. Lynam also says forward-looking plans lent to the decision to choose its new platform. “We’re planning to add new lines of products to bolster consumer choice, and we’re also looking to add some BI (business intelligence) functionality in terms of data warehousing to enable more granular analysis of our business. The platform we chose to standardize our store systems on will support both of these initiatives.”

Anti-Virus/Spam Software

Once again Consumer Reports has done their testing of Anti-Virus/Spam softwares and once again Trend Micro has taken the top spot across all categories.

They were Number One in
Total Software Suite
Anti Virus
Anti Spyware
Anti Spamm

Mcafee came in:
Total Software Suite 4th
Anti Virus 3rd
Anti Spyware 4th
Anti Spamm 7th

Symantec/Norton came in:
Total Software Suite 9th
Anti Virus 6th
Anti Spyware 11th
Anti Spamm 6th


Trend Micro was also the least expensive option.

Bad Cabling Means Bad Computer System

Recently, a customer was fed up with Retail Pro and contacted Mick Malaney, President of BHD. As BHD is noted for doing, Malaney mobilized the BHD tech crew. The customer's store is located somewhere on the West coast. (The customer's name and location is omitted.)

After the initial conversation with the customer, Malaney had a hunch concerning the cabling. Malaney had BHD Service Group locate a professional cable installer near the customer. The next morning, both, "cable guy" and a BHD technician arrived at the customer's store to begin their investigation.

In short time, the installer deduced the problem. You can see the problem yourself by viewing the attached photo. Clearly, the cabling was not professionally installed. In fact, the installer confirmed that all 400 feet of cabling inside the store was "dead."

Both Werner and the installer were surprised to see Retail Pro functioning at all.

BHD requires its customers to hire a licensed cable company to perform cable installation. Violation of that agreement will result in BHD terminating all agreements between BHD and the customer.

Depending upon the cabling requirements, a faulty installation can be costly as well as dangerous. Problems range from corrupted data to fire. A professional installation will save you hours of grief and thousands of dollars in future service work.

Furthermore, BHD is not a licensed cable installation company and, therefore, entrusts that the customer will perform the due diligence necessary to ensure a professional installation. From the point of connection (wall outlet), BHD manages the connection of computers and patch cables (network). However, what occurs behind the walls are the responsibility of the installation company and customer.

Training and Tech Lead Times

TRAINING:

Phone appts starting week of 9/10
(new users starting the last week in sept for several consistant appts in a row. Single appts start week of 9/10)

Onsites starting 9/24



TECH:

Phone appts starting 8/31

Onsites starting 9/5

BHD Customer Looking for New Sysop!

JOB POSTING
Maloof Sports & Entertainment
One Sports Parkway
Sacramento, CA 95834
www.arcoarena.com

POSITION: Director, Merchandise
DEPARTMENT: Arena Services
RESPOND TO: Human Resources Department
E-mail: jobs@arcoarena.com
Fax: (916) 928-8151


DATE: August 1, 2007

RESPONSIBILITITES: Oversees and implements the marketing of Kings, Monarchs, and ARCO Arena merchandise by performing the following duties personally or through subordinate supervisors:

• Monitors all business aspects maximizing the company’s investment and bottom line.
• Creates and implements a business plan that includes goals, strategies, action plans and timelines
• Identifies market forces that impact the ability to achieve goals
• Oversees monthly and year-end department reporting.
• Creates and maintains a monthly buying plan.
• Assists both the VP and Director of Finance in preparation of forecasts and budgeting.
• Directs and oversees all special projects.
• Assists in developing strategic plans for division.
• Purchases all necessary products for the Team Store and Arena Operations with special attention to inventory levels, turnover product mix and profit margins.
• Grows business through off site sales locations and Internet web sites.
• Oversees staffing levels, the creation of work schedules and the assignment of employees to specific duties.
• Formulates pricing policies on merchandise according to requirements for profitability of store operations.
• Orders merchandise and prepares requisitions to replenish merchandise on hand.
• Ensures compliance of employees with established security, sales, and record keeping procedures and practices.
• Answers customer's complaints or inquiries.


Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Marketing, or related field.
• 3-5 year’s retail sales experience.
• Demonstrated leadership skills in directing and motivating a large sales Team
• Must possess interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Must be able to motivate a staff to deliver over the top customer service
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.
• Ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Must have knowledge of Inventory software; Order processing systems; Retail Pro; Internet software; Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook.
• Must possess a valid Driver’s License.
• Must be capable of working extended hours such as nights, weekends, overtime, being on-call, and holidays as necessary.

PPM/Paymentech Authorization Issues

In response to a number of clients recently noting that Credit Card Authorizations by modem with PPM are failing, BHD has done some investigating and found a few alternate authorizations #s that are working. "A lot!" was Rich's response when asked how much the new authorization numbers were helping. It's not something we want to retroactively change with all clients, but if you're having consistent trouble with the PPM Server failing, please contact technical support at 916.368.1070.